Viviana L. Heger

Special Counsel

  • Viviana L. Heger
  • Phone: +1 213 689 7452

    Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 3100
    Los Angeles, CA 90017-5450
    USA

Viviana L. Heger is a trusted regulatory attorney with a strong track record in environmental regulatory compliance, litigation, and real property matters. She represents clients in high-stakes disputes involving water quality, air quality, and hazardous waste regulations, successfully advocating before administrative agencies and in complex multi-party litigation.

With eight years of in-house legal experience in the oil industry prior to entering private practice in 1999, Viviana brings a deep understanding of environmental regulations affecting industrial and commercial operations. She has successfully challenged regulatory mandates, secured favorable settlements in cost-recovery actions, and defended clients in CERCLA, RCRA, and Proposition 65 matters. Her work also includes advising on emissions compliance strategies, greenhouse gas and climate change laws, and negotiating permits that reduce compliance burdens.

Viviana has significant experience handling matters before the State Water Resources Control Board, including the Water Rights and Water Quality Divisions; the Los Angeles and other Regional Water Control Boards; the California Air Resources Board; the South Coast, Bay Area, and other Air Quality Management Districts, as well as other environmental agencies. She has helped clients resolve enforcement actions, mitigate liability, and develop compliance strategies that save millions in costs. Additionally, she has advised on land-use and real-estate matters, including due diligence acquisitions, leasing, and development.

Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Experience

  • Duane Morris LLP
    • Special Counsel, 2025-present
  • Meyers, Nave, Riback, Silver, & Wilson
    • Of Counsel, 2017-2025
  • Tropio & Morlan
    • Of Counsel, 2011-2017
  • Alston & Bird, Formerly Weston, Benshoof, Rochefort, Rubalcava & Maccuish
    • Senior Associate, 1999-2011

Professional Activities

  • Instructor, Paralegal Training Program, UCLA Extension, 2007-2019
  • Executive Committee of Los Angeles County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
    • Member, 2005-present
    • Chair, 2018-2019

Education

  • Loyola Law School Los Angeles, J.D., 1999
  • The Ohio State University, B.A., 1989

Language Skill

  • Spanish

Selected Publications

  • Quoted, "Trump Invited Polluters to Request Exemptions to Clean Air Act Rules. Is It Legal?"  landmark.earth, April 1, 2025
  • Author, "Checklist – Meeting Your Spill Reporting Obligations,” Association of Corporate Counsel, November 2018
  • Author, "Determining the Fate of AB 32,” Law360, February 17, 2011
  • Author, "Legislative Reform Alters Policy and Scope of TSCA," Corporate Compliance Insights, October 2010
  • Author, "Reporting Releases and Other Incidents,” Law360, April 2010

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, “PFAS Update: The ‘Forever Chemical in the News, in the Movies, and in the Courts,” March 25, 2020
  • Moderator, "Be Prepared for a Rainy Day," Los Angeles County Bar Association, January 17, 2012